Surmounting barriers through skateboarding and creative education
In Afghanistan, Skateistan provides safe spaces for children in underserved communities to play, participate in non-formal educational activities, and develop creative and life skills. In 2025, with BTG support they served 1,290 youth and children. Over half of these participants are girls, who face significant barriers to access education, sports, and life skills training nationally.
To fulfill its mission, Skateistan runs a variety of programs. Guided by skilled educational personnel, the participants in the Back-to-School (BTS) program are provided with academic learning, physical activity, and life skills training. This supports their out-of-school academic journey and enables many to transition from non-formal education into public schools.
In 2025, Skateistan successfully launched its own Bam Donya Non-Profit School in Kabul, as well as two Reinforcement Centers in Bamyan and Mazar-e-Sharif, where they continue to support marginalized girls and youth. Across these three sites, Skateistan encouraged students to participate in sports by hosting skateboarding sessions, and adolescent girls took part in Digital Literacy and Life Skills programs to learn essential computing, communication, and collaborative skills, among others.
In addition, Skateistan delivers an Outreach program, which introduced creative skills to underserved students, particularly students with disabilities, using drawing, calligraphy, and skateboarding.
Key numbers
REACH
In 2025, Skateistan reached 1,290 children in Afghanistan, of which 55% were girls.
In 2025, Skateistan’s new Bam Donya Primary Non-Profit School opened 14 classes Grades 1 through 6.
Skateistan opened two Reinforcement Centers to support primary students, with 9 and 14 classes respectively.
Skateistan’s Outreach program reached over 100 disabled and orphan students through creative learning and skateboarding.
IMPACT
In 2025, 13 Community-Based Education classes run by Skateistan successfully graduated and were integrated into public schools and Bam Donya Primary Non-Profit School.
In 2025, 95% of students at Skateistan’s Non-Profit School passed their academic year.
In 2025, the school’s first Grade 6 cohort graduated and transitioned into secondary education.
90% of adolescent girls in skills development programs expressed hope and confidence in shaping their futures.
